Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-01-06
rnr OLD rKan AND THE NEW.

IT'S low twelve. aud q cycle moro
Tho earth has made to where the starr
Proclaim the mystic noon OF night.
A chime throughout the universe,
As at creations carly morn
The gladsome stars together suDg,
A response gives that all ls we'll
Net moments time gained or Lost,
Since let there be and light there wac,
In the grand anthem OF the spheres
A discord makes.
Yes, 'tis midnight
A sharp point IN times measurement,
a commencement and conclusion
without a space Of severance.
when the old with dying grasp
Holds the hands OF tho scarcely born.
How sslll it isl Tho hush Of death
Has awed the winds into silence.
Not q whisper the quiet breaks
As pass the last neeting moments
0fthe dying year. Not 5oii
Upon the cold aud frosty air
Tolls his funeral. Than the wind
or Horeb, the earthquake or ire
Louder this awful silence speaks.
"A Atill small voice, I" as from the stars,
softly whispers; "what dost thou herc9''
And kneeling down hide my face,
And interrupt not the silence
That Of the universe now seems
To be,the manner OF worship.
And could weep, but why should ~
For my own dead years9 No indeed.
It were better II more were dead,
AZ then there:would be less for sln--
For love or hate or yesrning less;
Less chance for hopes insanity
Or for mischief that might be done.
'ris hnishedi onward still we ny,
And the endless repeat begins.
Onward smong the stars.
Archipelagocs OF the skies,
As a ship amid the isiAnds
or tho Ocean. the great earth bounds
On HE way with new hope laden,
And 40 burial at sea
Now gently o'er the brink OF time
The tender hands OF the New Year
Consigns the Old
But no, 40 its cares.
Its loves and rccollections.
II were we'll were II 90 with some.
In long phantom troop they come
From the dim and dreamy distance
or boyhood years, and ev'ry form
Ofjoy or grief, hope or despair;
or virtues few and many sins;
or deeds good and evil done.
In a checkered line follow on.
Mere shadows some, distinct many,
Owing much TO the hearts concern
When each one shape or semblance took.
Through the vista Of years they come,
The dim rear closing out in mist.
Here and there radiant form,
Angels OF sweet reeolleotions
As color bearers 60 the throng,
The long drsary lines intervene.
There's one, my bright Aleyono.
The center OF my universe,
Around which revolve all my stars;
Its joys and hopes for happiness
And those high and bright incentives
That TO the weary soai give strength;
Make strong when weak, when wayering
Make firm, hopeful when In despair.
turn me TO the stars again,
And realize how like ship
Amid islands OF the ocean
The great earth bounds upon HE way.
Were it happy as seem the stars
Thon indeed It would be we'll, but
Nations upon his crowded decks
Elbow for more room, rise and fall,
And keaven'E seas incarnadine.
onward to eternity's port.
A great cargo OF woes and bliss,
nf lave faawa Or h.u.a In,F.A.
Foul wrongs Of greed's oppressive hand;
The widows sigh, the orphans moan;
Dread pestilenee and famine gaunt;
Wars and their fell engines Of death;
Loves hopes, joys and, bitterness,
Its cravings, plights and broken. .vowsi
Glittering pomp and circumstance;
Rags. squalor,And degradation;
Perspiring toll and gouty wealth.
The long and dreary clearance shows.
Like a watchman upon the plains,
All alone from some eminenee,
Keeps guard o'er the slumbering camp,
While not breath ripple makes
Upon the boundless sea OF grass
Not e'en passing insects hum
Disturbs the silence so profound.
That the hearts lonely throb is.heArd;
When the stars are near companions,
And the spirit OF enhancement
His wistful soul emancipAtes,
And, roaming through the Infinite
Itself lnnnite-sends It forth,
Have alo, these mystic hours
Kopl watch till tile time-keeping stars
Have marked the deep blue noon Of night,
And into waves Of the past
Saw the new year eonsig1' the old.
And now like a sailor out at sea.
His watch done, to his hammock goes;
And trusting life and all he loves
To Him who rules the winds and waves,
BY the billows Is rocked to sleep.
So all, my God, / trust to Thee.